Marcellus, NY - Marcellus High School senior Alexandra Sheridan is running on adrenaline and caffeine following her speech Wednesday morning at the United Nations' celebration of International Peace Day.

"It was phenomenal," she said in a phone interview from a church across the street from the United Nations in New York. "All I did was speak about my personal experience and it blew up. "

She and her mother, Maria Sheridan, left on a bus from Syracuse at 1 a.m. Wednesday in order to make it to the United Nations on time. Sheridan said she didn't sleep on the trip down to New York City and is now running on caffeine and adrenaline. At about 1:30 p.m. she was awaiting Goodall's arrival at a Roots & Shoots event in a church located across the street from the United Nations.

Sheridan attended the ringing of the United Nations' Peace Bell Wednesday morning in a ceremony with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Goodall and other dignitaries. The day's theme was Education for Peace. Following the ringing of the bell, Sheridan joined about 500 youth from around the world to hear Goodall and other dignitaries speak.

Goodall urged them to "have your big dream and follow it."

When it was her turn to speak, Sheridan spoke about the work she has done with Nepali refugees at the Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center in Marcellus.

"It's unbelievable," she said. "I never thought in all my years that I'd be speaking to the UN, and speaking in front of Dr. Jane Goodall. I can't believe I'm here doing this."

Contact Charley Hannagan by voice or text at 315-470-2161, by email at channagan@syracuse.com, on Facebook at Neighbors West, or on Twitter @charleypost.